Sonic polishing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A substantially tubular elastic housing member is adapted to surround an elongated element in close proximity thereto and adapted to contain a finishing medium therebetween. A sonic oscillator is coupled to the elastic housing member to resonantly vibrate said member as the elastic member and elongated element are axially moved relative to one another.

United States Patent lnventor, Howard E. McKinney La Jolla, Calif. Appl. No. 770,222 Filed Oct. 24, 1968 Patented July 27, 1971 Assignee Shell Oil Company New York, N.Y. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No.

710,993, Mar. 6, 1968.

SONIC POLISHING APPARATUS 4 Claims,4 Drawing Figs. v

US. Cl 51/7, 5 H3 17 Int. Cl; B24b 19/00 Field ofSearch 5l/7,317,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,208,077 7/1940 Linke 51/7 2,554,701 5/1951 Hackett et a1.. 51/7 2,591,083 4/1952 Maier 51/7 3,128,577 4/1964 Guibert et a1. 51/7 3,496,677 2/1970 Bodine 51/163 Primary ExaminerWilliam R. Armstrong Att0rneys Freling E. Baker and .l. H. McCarthy ABSTRACT: A substantially tubular elastic housing member is adapted to surround an elongated element in close proximity thereto and adapted to contain a finishing medium therebetween. A sonic oscillator is coupled to the elastic housing member to resonantly vibrate said member as the elastic member and elongated element are axially moved relative to one another.

SHEET 1 0F 2 OSCILLATOR FIG.

FIG. 2

INVENTORI HOWARD E. MC KINNEY PATENTED JUL27 I97! SHEET 2 UF 2 FIG. 3

SONIC POLISHING APPARATUS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the art of sonic finishing of industrial parts and pertains more particularly to a continuous process of sonic finishing of elongated parts. i v

lndustrial parts are fabricated by any number of means or methods including casting, forgeing and machining. Parts emerging from any of these fabrication steps normally are rough, contain burrs and sharp edges and in the case of castings contain molding sand imbedded in the surface thereof. These parts normally need finishing such as cleaning, deburring, edges rounded and polishing prior to further machining or assembly into machines. Many techniques have been used for cleaning and polishing orfinishing of these parts including hand scrubbing and grinding. Other methods of cleaning and finishing of these parts include tumbling and shaking of the parts in a grit medium. The tumbling-type finishing operation is carried out by loading the parts in a barrel or bin-type container which is partially filled with a grit medium and then tumbling the parts in the grit medium by rotating the container about a horizontal axis. The shakingtype finishing apparatus bodily shakes or generally employs eccentric mass-type shakers or vibrators to vibrate a container containing suitable finishing medium and parts. This type of vibration requires massive shakers'or vibrators to develop the necessary forces involved in large batch-type containers. The

above-described methods of cleaning and finishing are time consuming and cannot keep up with modern techniques for the production of industrial parts.

The present invention employs the principle of a resonantly vibrating sonic system for the introduction of high levels of sonic energy rapidly and efficiently into a cleaning or finishing medium. The elastic resonant sonic vibration systemof the present invention permits the use of a steady flow process of parts finishing wherein the parts go through the finishing chamber at such a rate as to obtain the desired finishing in a short period of time. i

The energy-transmitting system of the present invention employs aresonantly vibrating system which may be referred to as an acoustic circuit. For a better understanding of such systems, a close analogy maybe drawn between the acoustic circuit and an electrical circuit as pointed out, for example, in Chapter 2.0f Sonics by Heuter and Bolt, published in l955 by John Wiley and Sons.

The present invention overcomes the foregoing problems in the prior art devices and methods by providing a method and apparatus for a continuous flow process for sonic cleaning of industrial parts. The present system comprises a resonantly vibrating polishing chamber through which the parts pass in intimate contact with thepolishing or finishing medium.

BRlEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS,

Many additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be evident to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a suitable layout for a system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation partially in section of a preferred embodiment of apparatus for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation in section of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation in section ofa third embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRlPTlONOF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With particular reference to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a schematic layout of a suitable system for carrying out the presentinvention. As shown in FlG. 1 there is illustrated a conduit member 11 which is preferably constructed of a suitable elastic material, and forms a polishing chamber 12 through which articles to be polished are passed in the cleaning process. The conduit member may be of any suitable cross section and may even be an open channel or trough. A sonic oscillator 13 is operatively coupled to the conduit member 11 to transmit elastic vibrations into a polishing medium contained in its chamber 12. The oscillator 13 and elastic conduit member 11 form an elastic sonic energy transmission system which when operated at or near its resonance frequency provides for the rapid and efficient delivery of energy to the polishing medium in the chamber. Parts 10a, 10b, and to be polished pass, such as along a path 14, into chamber 12 wherein the polishing medium under the influence of sonic energy impacts against and along the surfaces of the parts providing effective cleaning and polishing thereof. The polishing medium, which may be any suitable type of abrasive particles such as an aluminum oxide, may be retained in a chamber 12 as the articles are passed therethrough or in the alternative may be arranged so as to flow therethrough substantially along with the articles. Moreover, provisions may be made for the recycling of the abrasive or polishing medium such as along the path such as 15. The polishing media may be of any suitable type or composition to obtain the desired results. For example, the medium may'comprise dry granules or may be slightly moistened as desired. Also, the medium may be a slurry comprising abrasive particles suspended in a suitable liquid.

The levelof polishing mediumin chamber 12 and the rate of flow therethrough of the medium as well as the'articles to be polished is preferably adjustable all independently in order to obtain the proper degree of'finishing.

In FIG. 2 is illustrated a suitable arrangement of apparatus for carrying out the present invention. As shown in H0. 2 an elastic conduit member 18 forms a polishing chamber 19 and serves to transmit energy from a sonic vibration generator 20 into the-polishingmedium 16. The oscillator 20 is coupled such as by means of a band or clamp 21 to the conduit member 18. The vibration generator 20 is preferably though not limited to the, orbiting mass type oscillator, such as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,960,314, issued to A. G. Bodine on Nov. .15, I960. The oscillator may be of the single roller type or twin roller type. With a single roller type with its rotative axis parallel to axis of the elastic member 18 will undergo a gyrating elastic standing wave motion characteristic of an elastic standing wave pattern with the ends and center of the tube undergoing a gyratory motion. A lateral standing mode of vibration may be obtained by the use of a dual roller oscillator having counter'rotating rollers or by the use of a single roller 23 heldin place such as by expandable metal bands 24 and 25.

At least some portion of the flow path of the present invention is preferably tilted to provide a continuous gravity feed of the materials through the polishing chamber. Of course, other methods of inducing flow, such as pumping may be utilized to maintain a suitable rate of flow through the polishing chamber. The apparatus illustrated in FlG. 2 is supported from suitable support means such as the base member 26 from which extends a vertical strut member 27. The elastic conduit member 18 is preferably supported at nodal points by suitable vibration-isolating means such as an elastomeric band 28 surrounded by band member 29 which is in turn pivotally supported by pin 30 to strut 27. A second elastomeric band 33 and metal band 34 encircle the elastic conduit 18 in the vicinity of the upper nodal point and is in turn pivotally connected by pivot pin 35 to an extendible support member such as fluid transducer 36 which is in turn pivotally supported by pivot pin 38 to base member 26. A conduit 39 extends to-a suitable source (not shown) of hydraulic fluid for operating the fluid motor 36. The above-described support structure permits the adjustment of the tilt of the conduit 18 and consequently the rate of flow as well as the volume of material in a chamber 19 at a given moment. The rate of flow will determine the residence time or length of time spent in the chamber by the part. A high degree of filling of the polishing chamber 19 with polishing medium provides a better sonic coupling of the energy from the conduit l8into the polishing medium in chamber 19 and consequently an increased rate of finishing and polishing of the parts fed therethrough. A suitable bin 45 is located at the discharge end of conduit 18 to catch the polishing medium upon its discharge from the polishing chamber. The parts may be permitted to fall in a heap with the polishing medium from which it is there retrieved or they may be preferably caught by means ofa conveyor belt or chain 46 which permits an unrestricted flow of the polishing medium therethrough into the bin 45. The conveyor 46 is supported such as by means of roller 47 and driven by suitable means not shown. Suitable guide panels 48 and 49 supported by means of a strut 50 extend along the sides of the conveyor belt or chain 46 Referring now to FIG. 3, there is a furtherembodiment of the present invention which is particularly adapted to the surface-finishing of elongated elements and members. The apparatus, as illustrated in FIG. 3, comprises an elastic conduit or housing member designated by the numeral 53 with barrier means 54 and 55 positioned and forming a chamber therein. Barrier means 54 and 55 may be of any suitable material but are preferably of a material such as rubber or neoprene and may be positioned substantially at any place withinhousing 53 but are preferably positioned at the nodal points or areas of the member. These nodal points or areas would generally appear approximately a quarter of the length of housing 53 from the ends thereof when the member is resonantly vibrated in its gyratory mode of vibration. The proper section of material for and positioning of means 54 and 55 reduces the amount of energy and vibration transmitted to elongated member or element 57 which is being finished or treated. Suitable ports or openings 58 and 59 are provided through barrier means 54 and 55 to permit the passage of an elongated element or member 57 through the finishing chamber 56. A suitable finishing medium 60 is maintained at a suitable level within chamber 56 to obtain the proper degree of finishing. Suitable means such as opening or port 61 may be provided for the introduction of medium 60 in to the chamber 56. Other opening or ports such as 63 with suitable closure means 64 may be provided for the removal of medium 60 from chamber 56 A suitable sonic oscillator or vibration generator 62 is coupled to housing member 53 to generate the desired mode of resonant vibration therein. The oscillator 62 may be any suitable form but may preferably be a single orbital mass type oscillator having its axis substantially parallel to that of member 53 in order to vibrate member 53in its gyratory mode.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention. An elastic housing member 65 is provided with barrier means 66 and 67 positioned within said member near the ends thereof forming a finishing chamber 68 for containing a quantity of finishing medium 69. These barrier or wall means 66 and 67 are preferably positioned at nodal points or areas along the housing member 65 in order to minimize the vibrations transmitted from said housing member 65 to an elongated element 79 which is being finished. Conduit means 71 communicate between two areas of said finishing chamber for circulating finishing medium therebetween. Although conduit member 71 is illustrated as being of a material similar to that of housing means 65 it may or neoprene-This recirculating means 71 may generally communicatebetween points or areas in chamber 68 that are nodal points or areas or ad acent thereto. It may also be desirable to provide recirculating means between nodal and antinodal areas in chamber 68. A suitable opening 72 communicates with conduit 71 to permit the introduction or removal of parts or medium into the system. The opening 72 may be maintained closed such as by closure means 72 during operation. A suitable sonic oscillator or vibration generator 74 is coupled to housing means 65 for setting up vibration therein. This oscillator 74 is probably of the type discussed with respect to FIG. 3 above.

Suitable inertia means 75 and 76 may be attached to the opposite ends of housing member 65 to move the nodal points or areas of housing means 65 to the ends thereof. The inertia means, 75 and 76, act in much the same manner as a lever system such that the greater. the mass applied to the end of the lever the shorter the lever may be. This is effective in moving barrier means 66 and 67 closer to the ends of housing means 65 and thus permitting a larger chamber for a given length of housing means 65. The barrier means 66 and 67 are provided with ports or openings 77 and 78 therein to permit the passage of an element 79 through chamber 68.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A resonant surface-finishing apparatus for surface-finishing elongated elements, said apparatus comprising:

an elastic tubular housing member having wall means forming a finishing chamber for containing an abrasive median abrasive medium filling at least a portion of said chamber; a sonic oscillator operatively coupled to said elastic member to impart gyratory elastic resonant vibrations thereto;

said resonant vibrations having a gyratory standing wave pattern with the ends and center of the tubular member undergoing a gyratory motion with nodal points formed between the respective ends and center thereof; port means in said wall means of said chamber for permitting the passage of elongated elements therethrough in intimate contact with said abrasive medium; and

low-impedance barrier means positioned substantially at said nodal points within the bore of said tubular member, for sealing said port means around an element passing therethrough. v

2. A resonant surface-finishing apparatus for surface-finishing elongated elements, said apparatus comprising:

an elastic tubular housing member having wall means forming a finishing chamber for containing an abrasive median abrasive medium filling at least a portion of said chamber;

a sonic oscillator operatively coupled to said elastic member and adapted to impart resonant vibrations thereto;

port means in said wall means of said chamber for permitting the passage of elongated elements therethrough in intimate contact with said abrasive medium;

low-impedance barrier means sealing said port means 

1. A resonant surface-finishing apparatus for surface-finishing elongated elements, said apparatus comprising: an elastic tubular housing member having wall means forming a finishing chamber for containing an abrasive medium; an abrasive medium filling at least a portion of said chamber; a sonic oscillator operatively coupled to said elastic member to impart gyratory elastic resonant vibrations thereto; said resonant vibrations having a gyratory standing wave pattern with the ends and center of the tubular member undergoing a gyratory motion with nodal points formed between the respective ends and center thereof; port means in said wall means of said chamber for permitting the passage of elongated elements therethrough in intimate contact with said abrasive medium; and low-impedance barrier means positioned substantially at said nodal points within the bore of said tubular member, for sealing said port means around an element passing therethrough.
 2. A resonant surface-finishing apparatus for surface-finishing elongated elements, said apparatus comPrising: an elastic tubular housing member having wall means forming a finishing chamber for containing an abrasive medium; an abrasive medium filling at least a portion of said chamber; a sonic oscillator operatively coupled to said elastic member and adapted to impart resonant vibrations thereto; port means in said wall means of said chamber for permitting the passage of elongated elements therethrough in intimate contact with said abrasive medium; low-impedance barrier means sealing said port means around an element passing therethrough; and, inertia means selectively moving the nodal points of said tubular member toward the ends thereof.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said inertia means are coupled to the ends of said tubular member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said inertia means comprises annular masses coupled to said tubular member. 